Football.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3570, 7 September 1905, Page 3

Football.

AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU. The Australian Rugbyites won the first match of their tour against Manawatu at Palmerston North yesterday. The result (7 to 5) repre sents the true nature of the game, for if there was any superiority, the Kangaroos h Id that distinction They dived into- their work with plenty of dash, administering hard knocks in their endeavours to pile on the points. They did not play the parlour game, far from it,—but rather preferred to play Rugby as it should be played —making sure of their men, and kicking the leather as if thej meant business. Their defence was far from sound, and had tba "Manawatu pack followed up a 'a they' should have done many Scores might have resulted through faulty handling of the leather by the visiting backs. I doubt whether more wretched tackling was ever credited to a Manawatu combination. It was disgracefully weak, and not worthy of schoolboys. Collaring low seemed to be on unknown art. The line kicking of the locaL was sickening to witness, and one wished there was a Barker in the team to teach them this apparently art As lor the local scrum, it was all over the shop ; the weight was there, but it was not used to advantage, and the result was the Australians done what they liked in that department. Speaking of the home pack in general work, there can be only one :re ply— w ith one or two exceptions, they were a tired lot, and the rough ■handling by the Australians evidently :madfl them shirk solid work. Most ■of them shone individually at different times, but they did not stick to their task. MoNae and Munro wore grafters in the local vanguard, while of the backs, Hewitt, Stalker, and Scott were fair. Once Fume put in a great run, and looked like scoring, but luck was against him. It was McNae who scored for Manawatu, a try which Ward converted. For Australia, McLean scored a try, while Wickham landed a goal from a mark. Swannel, Judd, and Burden (forwards), Wickham, Anzelark, Woods, and Penman (backs) were the ( best of the visitors. It was pleasing to notice the Australians have adopted many New Zealand tactics and methods of play. They worked the blind side to effect yesterday. The Rev. Harper acted as referee, but allowed players ton much latitude to give general satisfaction He certainly did not have them under proper control, and allowed far too infringements. Messrs and Dora (Aus trftlia) held the touch-fl gs.

NOTES. Archie McMino is said to have played a great game at Dunedin on Saturday last it must come as a shook to outsiders to know that the long fellow was a spectator at yesterday’s match—-not being considered good enough by the provincial selectors.

Another reminder is given that eporta nominations close on Saturday next with the secretary.